Wiping system for a windscreen of an automobile and method for fixing a windscreen wiping system

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiping system for automobiles has a fixing device with at least three fixing mechanisms situated at a distance from each other. Two of these fixing mechanisms are situated on a connection line. The third fixing mechanism is situated at a distance from the connection line. The fixing device also includes at least three receiving devices which engage the fixing mechanisms. A damping element formed of a vibration-damping material is provided between the fixing mechanisms and the receiving devices. The damping elements are mounted on a part of the fixing device that is situated on the side of the wiping system.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a wiping system for a windshield of anautomobile with a screwless securing mechanism which has at least threesecuring members at a distance from each other, two of which lie on aconnecting line and the third is at a distance from the connecting line,and which comprises at least three receiving devices which the securingmembers can engage, wherein a damping element of a vibration-dampingmaterial is furnished between at least one securing member and thecorresponding receiving device.

A securing mechanism of this kind is known from DE 198 33 404 A1. Thedisclosed wiping system comprises a load-bearing structure on which atotal of three securing members configured as cylindrical studs areprovided. These securing members are located on the system-side. Theyare inserted axially into receiving openings which are in specialholders which are attached to the vehicle body, thus on the vehicleside. To decouple vibration from the wiper system from the vehicle body,the receiving openings which are on the vehicle side are provided withrubber grommets which are infixed in matching breakthroughs in theretainers. The studs in turn are inserted into the grommets. Studs,receiving openings and rubber grommets together form the securingmechanism for the windshield wiper system.

The disadvantage with this wiper system, however, is that itsinstallation to the vehicle is relatively time-consuming and cannot beautomated.

From FR 2 770 880 A1 a wiper system with a securing mechanism is known,the two outer securing members of which are configured in thetraditional manner for the use of threaded fasteners. The securingmechanism of this wiper system cannot therefore be described asscrewless.

The center securing member in this reference comprises a sheet metaltongue projecting from the wiper system, on whose end, which is flangedand simply folded over on itself, a cap-like damping element is set. Thedamping element therefore has a planar, discontinuous recess into whichthe end of the sheet metal tongue projects. During installation of thewiper system to the vehicle, this end of the securing member with thedamping element is simply pushed lengthwise into the receiving devicefurnished on the vehicle, without the securing member itself beingsecured against slipping out. With the configuration of the securingmembers of a screwless securing mechanism in the manner of the centersecuring member as it is known from FR 2 770 880 A1, there is a riskthat the securing member can slip out when impinged upon by forces fromthe receiving device.

The object of the present invention is, therefore, to further improve awiper system of the type named initially in such a way that it ispossible to install it even more quickly but still securely.

SUMMARY

This object is achieved in combination with a wiper system by thedamping element being attached on the wiper system-side part of themechanism.

The measures taken in accordance with the invention are as simple asthey are surprisingly effective:

In contrast to the prior art, in which the damping elements are set intothe receiving devices on the vehicle side, under the invention at leastone damping element is fastened to a part of the securing mechanism onthe wiper system-side; it is thus connected to this system-side parteven when the windshield wiper system has not yet been attached to thevehicle. The system-side part of the securing mechanism of thewindshield wiper system, which is as yet not installed into the vehicle,is readily accessible, whereby attachment of the damping element can becarried out more easily, more quickly, more reliably and, if necessary,automated. The interaction of the thickened area at the end of thedamping element with the receiving device makes possible a particularlysecure and simple locking connection of the windshield wiper system tothe vehicle without the need for any bolting operations.

Advantageous improvements to the invention are given in the dependentclaims.

In one aspect of the invention, appropriate damping elements arefastened to all the wiper system-side parts of the securing mechanism.This maximizes the aforementioned time benefits.

Further, it is particularly preferred if the securing members arefurnished on the wiper system-side and the receiving devices arefurnished on the vehicle side and at least one securing member includesa cylindrical stud onto which the damping element is pushed. Thisinvolves a design for the securing members which is of optimally simpleconstruction and economical of material. On the vehicle side, onlycylindrical holes are necessary, which are simple to produce. Thedamping element can easily be pushed onto a cylindrical stud withouthaving to consider any special radial positioning of the damping elementwith respect to the cylindrical stud.

In another improvement to the invention, the damping element is fastenedto the securing member, specifically secured by means of a bolt. Thisimprovement ensures that the damping element cannot become detached fromthe securing member during installation and also in subsequentoperation.

In another improvement, the securing members are configured as studs inone piece with the wiper bearing housings, or with the motor casing orthe motor mount. This reduces the expense for the production of thewiper system. Additionally, a favorable geometry regarding theattachment points is realized through this measure.

It is furthermore advantageous if the securing members configured asstuds have a thickened shape at their free end, like the cap of amushroom, in accordance with a further aspect. The damping elementpositioned on the pin is thereby secured against slipping down axially,and with a suitable shape for the thickened end, specifically taperingconically toward the end, it can be employed advantageously duringinstallation of the wiper system to the vehicle as an aid to insertioninto the corresponding receiver.

Preferably an annular shoulder against which the damping element bearsis furnished on at least one wiper system-side component. In this way,axial positioning of the damping element with respect to the wipingsystem is particularly simple.

Another improvement proceeds in the same direction, in which the dampingelement has a collar at its end on the system-side, with which it issupported on the system-side. In addition to the advantage of secureaxial positioning of the damping element with respect to the wipersystem-side component, this improvement to the invention ensuresdependable decoupling of wiper system vibration from the vehicle.

As was explained at the beginning, the vehicle-side receiving devices inthe prior art are infixed in separate holders. This is necessary becausein the prior art the rubber grommets are infixed on the vehicle side,which is economically possible only through the accessibility providedby separate holders. As a result of the damping element under theinvention being attached to the wiper system-side part of the securingmechanism, this reason for a separate holder no longer exists. This istaken into account by an improvement of the invention in which at leastone vehicle-side receiving device is located directly in the structuralsheet metal of the vehicle.

It is particularly preferred in this arrangement if at least onereceiving device on the vehicle side consists of a draw in the sheetmetal. A draw of this type forms a locating bushing in whichspecifically a cylindrical securing member and a matching dampingelement can be securely retained. In addition, a sheet metal draw ofthis type is extremely simple to affect in a metal panel of a vehicle.

A good connection between the damping element and the wiper system-sidepart is achieved if the damping element is sprayed onto the system-sidecomponent.

Finally, a simple connection of the receiving device is possible if thesecuring member can be retained by clips to the securing device.

The present invention also relates to a method of securing a windshieldwiper system to a vehicle, wherein at least three securing members at adistance from each other and at least three receiving devices arefurnished which the securing members can engage. In order to make iteasier to perform the procedure and to be able to automate it asrequired, it is proposed under the invention that first one dampingelement of a vibration-damping material is attached to at least onesystem-side component of the mechanism and then the system-sidecomponent with the damping element is inserted into or installed ontothe corresponding vehicle-side component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In what follows, aspects of the inventions are explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a windshield wiper system with the wipersystem-side area of a securing mechanism;

FIG. 2 shows a vehicle-side area of the securing mechanism of thewindshield wiper system;

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line III—III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an aspect of a securing member with the damping elementpushed over it;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an aspect of a receiving device;

FIG. 6 shows a front elevation of the receiving device from FIG. 5 and acorresponding securing member;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a further aspect of a receiving device;

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section through a further aspect of areceiving device with a corresponding securing member; and

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the receiving device from FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A windshield wiper system for an automobile has the general referencenumeral 10 in FIG. 1. It comprises tubular support structure 12 whichhas a bearing assembly 14 or 16 at each end. A wiper shaft 18 or 20 isaxially secured and mounted to be rotatable in each bearing assembly 14or 16 to receive a windshield wiper arm.

A drive device 22 which operates on a coupling linkage 24 sitsapproximately in the center section of the support structure 12. One endof the coupling linkage 24 is connected in an articulated manner to acrank 26, which in turn is rigidly coupled to the wiper shaft 18. Theother end of the coupling linkage 24 is connected in an articulatedmanner to a crank 28, which is rigidly coupled to the wiper shaft 20.

The windshield wiper system 10 can be attached by means of a securingmechanism 29 with a screwless push-in connection below a windshield 30(see FIGS. 2 and 3) of an automobile body. To this end, each bearingassembly 14, 16 carries a cylindrical stud 32, 34 which project from thebearing assemblies 14, 16 parallel to each other and in the samedirection, as well as at a right angle to the wiper shafts 18 and 20. Afurther cylindrical stud has the reference numeral 36 and is rigidlyattached to a spacer element 37 on the side of the drive device 22facing away from the load-bearing structure 12.

While the axes of studs 32 and 34 lie approximately in the planeextended through the load-bearing structure 12 and the coupling linkage24, the axis of stud 36 is approximately at a right angle to this plane,thus also at a right angle to the longitudinal extension of the twostuds 32 and 34. Studs 32 and 34 are, in each case, a single piece withthe bearing housings 14 or 16, and stud 36 forms a single piece with thecasing of the drive device 22. Together, studs 32, 34 and 36 lie at theangles of a triangle and form a stable support base.

A rubber grommet is pushed onto each of the cylindrical studs 32, 34 and36 and secured with a bolt 40 to the individual studs 32, 34 and 36. Onthe wiper system-side end, each rubber grommet 38 has a collar 42. Thiscollar in turn is supported against an annular shoulder 44 (FIG. 3),which is furnished on the specific stud 32, 34 or 36 (the annularshoulder 44 on stud 36 is not shown in FIG. 1). On the other end, eachrubber grommet 38 has a thickened section in the manner of a possiblyretaining ring 46, which can be conical and whose purpose will beexamined in what follows.

In the aspect in accordance with FIG. 4, in comparison to FIG. 2, inplace of a bolt 40 a mushroom cap-shaped thickening is formed on thefree end 70 of the particular stud 32, 34, 36, over which the thickenedsection rubber grommet is pushed. The thickened end 70 is tapered in themanner of a cone, where this taper still continues at the outer edge ofthe damping element in order to facilitate insertion of the stud 32, 34,36 in the direction of the arrow 71 into the corresponding receiver 54,56, 58 when the wiper device is installed to the automobile. At theopposite end, the damping element 38 has the previously described collar42 supported against an annular shoulder 72, which is furnished on theparticular stud 32, 34 or 36. In this aspect, a conicalexpansion/enlargement of the hole extending through the damping element38 can be seen at this end of the damping element 38, the enlargementmaking it easier to push the damping element 38 over the thickened end70.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, two holders 50 and 52 are spot welded to astructural metal panel 48 of the vehicle. A circular receiving opening54 is introduced into the holder 50, and a receiving opening 56configured as an elongated hole is introduced into the holder 52.Configuring receiving opening 56 as an elongated hole serves tocompensate for manufacturing tolerances when positioning the holders 48and 50 or during production of the windshield wiper system 10.

A further receiving opening 58 is located directly in the structuralmetal panel 48, as can be seen from FIG. 3. All the receiving openings54, 56 and 58 are effected as draws in the panel, which include acylindrical tube section 60 lying at a right angle to the plane of thestructural metal panel 48 or the holders 50 and 52, respectively, thetubular section forms a bushing for the studs 32, 34 and 36 and therubber grommets 38.

The studs 32, 34 36, the rubber grommets 38 and the receiving openings54, 56 and 58 together form the securing mechanism 29 for the windshieldwiper system 10. Installation proceeds as follows:

First, the rubber grommets 38 are pushed onto the studs 32, 34 and 36,in such a manner that they lie with their collar 42 against the annularshoulder 44 of the studs 32, 34 or 36. In the case of the aspect fromFIG. 4, the rubber grommet 38 is axially secured by the mushroomcap-shaped, thickened end 70 of the stud over which it is pushed as ittemporarily expands. In the aspect from FIG. 2, the bolt 40 is installedand tightened after pushing on the rubber grommet 38, whereby the rubbergrommet 38 is firmly attached to the individual stud 32, 34 or 36(alternatively, the rubber grommet could also be sprayed or vulcanizedon, whereby these assembly steps are eliminated). Now the windshieldwiper system 10 is brought to the installation location, and the studs32, 34 and 36 with the pre-installed rubber grommets 38 are insertedinto the receiving openings 54, 56 and 58 until the collar 42 on eachrubber grommet 38 abuts the structural panel 48 or the holders 50 and53, and, if present, the retaining ring 46 at the end of the rubbergrommet 38 emerges from the tube section 60, and the rubber grommet 38latches with each receiving opening 54, 56 or 58.

In this way, simple installation and at the same time secure retentionof the windshield wiper system 10 to the vehicle is ensured, without theuse of any screws.

In FIGS. 5 to 9, several aspects of “clip attachments” are shown. Partswhich have the equivalent functions as previously described parts havethe same reference numeral and are not described again in detail.

In the case of these clip attachments, the receiving device 54 isconfigured as a clamp and includes two flexible jaws 62. The width B ofthe jaws 62 must be matched relatively exactly to the dimension C on thedamping element 38 between snap ring 46 and collar 42 on the stud 32 toprevent axial movement of the stud 32 with respect to the receivingdevice 54 in the installed position.

The receiving devices 54 in FIGS. 5 and 7 differ from each other in thedesign of their jaws 62, which in the case of receiving device 54 fromFIG. 7 have an additional straight flexion 64 through which theflexibility and the potential opening angle of the receiving device 54are increased.

An aspect of a clamp-shaped receiving device 54 is shown in FIGS. 8 and9, which is configured in one piece with a sheet-metal holder 50 on thevehicle side. The holder 50 includes a 90° raised edge 66 which cut inits upper area is from the side, not quite as far as the middle. Thesheet metal strips obtained in this way are bent such that correspondingclamping jaws 62 are formed.

The clamp-shaped receiving devices 52 have the advantage that they allowa secure latching fit with a corresponding damping element 38, andduring installation of the windshield wiper system 10 to the vehiclealmost unlimited installation directions are possible.

1. A wiper system for a windscreen of an automobile with a screwlesssecuring mechanism which has at least three securing members at adistance from each other, two of which lie on a connecting line, and thethird is at a distance from the connecting line, and which includes atleast three receiving devices which the securing member can engage,wherein a damping element of a vibration-damping material is furnishedbetween at least one securing member and the corresponding receivingdevices, characterized in that the damping element is fixed to a wipersystem-side part of the mechanism, wherein the combined fluid dampeningelement located on the wiper system-side part is connectible to avehicle side-part for assembly.
 2. The wiper system from claim 1,wherein damping elements are furnished on all components on the wipersystem side of the securing mechanism.
 3. The wiper system from claim 1,wherein the securing members are furnished on the wiper system side andthe receiving devices are furnished on the vehicle side, and at leastone securing member includes a cylindrical stud onto which the dampingelement is pushed.
 4. The wiper system from claim 3, wherein the dampingelement is fastened to the securing member.
 5. The wiper system fromclaim 3, wherein the studs are configured in one piece with one of thewiper bearing housing, the motor casing and the motor mount.
 6. Thewiper system from claim 3, wherein the free end of the stud is thickenedlike a mushroom cap.
 7. The wiper system from claim 1, wherein anannular shoulder is provided on at least wiper system-side part of thesecuring mechanism, the damping element supporting itself against theshoulder.
 8. The wiper system from claim 1, wherein the damping elementhas a collar with which it is supported on the system side.
 9. The wipersystem from claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle-side receiving deviceis located directly in the structural sheet metal of the automobile. 10.The wiper system from claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle-sidereceiving device includes a sheet metal draw.
 11. The wiper system fromclaim 1, wherein the securing member can be attached to the receivingdevice by insertion into a clip.
 12. A wiper system for a windscreen ofan automobile with a screwless securing mechanism which has at leastthree securing members at a distance from each other, two of which lieon a connecting line, and the third is at a distance from the connectingline, and which includes at least three receiving devices which thesecuring members can engage, wherein a damping element of a vibrationdamping material is furnished between at least one securing member andthe corresponding receiving devices, characterized in that the dampingelement is fixed to a wiper system side part of the mechanism whereinthe damping element is sprayed into or onto the wiper system-sidecomponent of the securing mechanism.
 13. The wiper system from claim 12,wherein damping elements are furnished on all components on the wipersystem side of the securing mechanism.
 14. The wiper system from claim12, wherein the securing members are furnished on the wiper system sideand the receiving devices are furnished on the vehicle side, and atleast one securing member includes a cylindrical stud onto which thedamping element is pushed.
 15. The wiper system from claim 14 whereinthe damping element is fastened to the securing member.
 16. The wipersystem from claim 14, wherein the studs are configured in one piece withone of the wiper bearing housing, the motor casing and the motor mount.17. The wiper system from claim 14, wherein the free end of the stud isthickened like a mushroom cap.
 18. The wiper system from claim 12,wherein an annular shoulder is provided on at the least wipersystem-side part of the securing mechanism, the damping elementsupporting itself against the shoulder.
 19. The wiper system from claim12, wherein the damping element has a collar with which it is supportedon the system side.
 20. A method of securing a windscreen wiper systemto an automobile with a securing mechanism comprising the steps of:providing at least three securing members separated from each other;providing at least three receiving devices which the securing memberscan engage; fastening first one damping element of a vibration-dampingmaterial to at least one wiper system-side part of the securingmechanism; and then screwlessly inserting the wiper system-side partwith the damping element into the corresponding vehicle-side part.